In this article, you will find an overview of our software releases, their component specifics as well as operating systems that they are supported on.
Before you proceed with more in-depth details, here are the minimum system requirements to run the latest supported versions (version 4.3 or higher):
- PC: Windows 7 (or later)
- MAC: macOS 10.12 High Sierra (or later)
The latest version of Reference software is always recommended to use, download here. However, there can be numerous reasons for using older versions of Reference instead. For example, running Reference 4 on macOS 10.11 or lower is possible using older versions.
Keep in mind though that versions 4.3 and lower are not supported - all active development on them has stopped. We do of course have some basic support in place for them as well as FAQ content and we will help with essential issues (activation, license transfers, etc.) if you submit a support request regarding using those versions. However, software issues will only be investigated and fixed on supported versions/operating systems as we simply don't have the capacity to fully support them. All older software releases are available for download in our downloads archive.
Important for new trialists: to launch a new trial for an older version of Reference, you will need a trial key. Only the latest Reference 4.4 online installer starts the trial automatically by entering your email address. All other installers (offline and downloads archive), will require a new trial key to start your demo. Submit a support request below for that.
Reference 4.4 - not supported, all active development stopped. Final release: 4.4.10.11
NOTE: for macOS, the latest version is 4.4.9.11
| Component/OS | Windows 11 | Windows 10 | Windows 8 | Windows 7 | macOS 12 | macOS 11 | macOS 10.15 | macOS 10.14 | macOS 10.13 | macOS 10.12 | Linux |
| VST | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit * |
| VST3 * | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| AAX | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | - |
| RTAS | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| AU | - | - | - | - | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Systemwide app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Measure app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
* VST3 is available to paid users only, by submitting a support request (it is not included in the installer for technical reasons). The testing for VST3 has been very limited, so issues might be present.
* Linux VST is in Beta, available in our downloads archive. For new trialists - since it is an offline installer, you will need a trial key to launch a new demo. For that, submit a support request below.
Reference 4.3 - not supported, all active development stopped. Final release: 4.3.5.1
| Component/OS | Windows 10 | Windows 8 | Windows 7 | macOS 10.15 | macOS 10.14 | macOS 10.13 | macOS 10.12 | Linux |
| VST | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit * |
| VST3 * | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | - | - | - | - | - |
| AAX | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | - |
| RTAS | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | - | - | - | - | - |
| AU | - | - | - | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Systemwide app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Measure app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
* VST3 is available to paid users only, by submitting a support request (it is not included in the installer for technical reasons). The testing for VST3 has been very limited, so issues might be present.
* Linux VST is in Beta, available in our downloads archive.
Reference 4.2 - not supported, all active development stopped. Final release: 4.2.2.46
| Component/OS | Windows 10 | Windows 8 | Windows 7 | macOS 10.15 | macOS 10.14 | macOS 10.13 | macOS 10.12 | macOS 10.11 | macOS 10.10 | macOS 10.9 | Linux |
| VST | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit * |
| AAX | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | - |
| RTAS | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| AU | - | - | - | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Systemwide app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Measure app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
* Linux VST is in Beta, available in our downloads archive.
Reference 4.1 - not supported, all active development stopped. Final release: 4.1.11.4
| Component/OS | Windows 10 | Windows 8 | Windows 7 | macOS 10.14 | macOS 10.13 | macOS 10.12 | macOS 10.11 | macOS 10.10 | macOS 10.9 | Linux |
| VST | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit * |
| AAX | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | - |
| RTAS | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| AU | - | - | - | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Systemwide app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
| Measure app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | - |
* Linux VST is in Beta, available in our downloads archive.
Reference 4.0 - not supported, all active development stopped. Final release: 4.0.115
| Component/OS | Windows 10 | Windows 8 | Windows 7 | macOS 10.14 | macOS 10.13 | macOS 10.12 | macOS 10.11 | macOS 10.10 | macOS 10.9 |
| VST | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| AAX | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| RTAS | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| AU | - | - | - | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| Systemwide app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| Measure app | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
Reference 3: not supported, all active development stopped. Final releases 3.4.1.6 (plugin and Measure app); 3.4.1.11 (Systemwide app)
| Component/OS | Windows 10 | Windows 8 | Windows 7 | macOS 10.14 | macOS 10.13 | macOS 10.12 | macOS 10.11 | macOS 10.10 | macOS 10.9 |
| VST | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit |
| AAX | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| RTAS | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| AU | - | - | - | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| Systemwide app | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 32/64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| Measure app | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit | 64 bit |
2 comments
Hello,
the download archive seems to have vanished, at least for the Linux version. Where may I find the download?
Hi Arnd, thanks for the post!
Our apologies for the missing download. We are working on restructuring our download center, the Linux download will soon be available again. Meanwhile, I have created a support request on your behalf - we will reach out to you and provide the Linux download manually.
For anyone else looking for the Reference 4 Linux VST plugin format, please check our download center first, and if the download is still missing, please submit a support request and we will provide the download manually.
As far as actual Linux support goes - full Linux support is still not planned for Reference 4 or SoundID Reference, unfortunately.